Remembrance

How did I come to be here? I mean, sure, it's the closest thing to home I've had these last few years, but still... These last few days are a blur, but even so, it seems like only a few seconds that I was engulfed by that green light, but now here I stand again at the gates of Hogwarts.

It's strange, not to have to have the gates opened. Without thought, without effort I just glide through the door as if it were not there. There standing before me though is the Fat Friar. Yes, he is the ghost of Hufflepuff, and we were always friendly, but now it's different. His face is not its usual mask of joy, but is instead somber, and a long look between us shares so much. He's right though, I can be here, I must be here, but I can't show myself, the pain is too raw for them, and probably for me.

The dining hall is full, and it looks like the closing feast. I can't tell who won though. I mean, without the Quidditch games, it wasn't going to be a real championship anyway, but all the banners aren't Slytherin Green, or Gryffindor red and gold, the only colors they ever seem to be, but black, a deep somber black. Could this be for me?

I can see old Headmaster Dumbledore talking. He seems terribly sad tonight. He holds up his cup in a toast, and as I look down from near the roof, his eyes somehow seem to reach up to me, and give the faintest nod.

I look around again, and there at the Ravenclaw table is Cho. She's crying. You know that was the only real victory I ever won from Potter. But, when I go down to wipe the tears from her eyes with my thumb, she shivers and she's crying all the more. I wish I could show myself, to somehow hold her one last time, but I know I should not... cannot... must not.

I can't stand to look at her any more.. it's just too painful. Speaking of pain, there's Harry. I guess that look in his eyes is what they call the thousand mile stare. I bet he blames himself. If I had just taken the cup like I should have, then I'd still be this way, but no one would know why, or how, or what it means. Harry's a good kid. It's amazing, with all the fame he has that he's kept his head.

Then there's the Slytherin table. They don't seem too upset about the news. That Malfoy twit actually seems to be gloating. Of course, I know his dad was there, I remember that much. Looking at it from this side, well I hope he learns in time. Judgment is coming for everyone, like it or no. He may be a twit, a jerk and a general pain, but if he walks his father's path, I don't wish that kind of judgement on anyone.

Well, I think the dinner is breaking up. I guess I may as well find something to do, I have lots of time on my hands. I'm Cedric Diggory, the latest ghost of Hufflepuff.